Folding box



July 28, 1953 A. BocKMANN FOLDING BOX Filed March 6, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet1 INVENTOR.

July 28, 1953 A. BOCKMANN FOLDING BOX 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6,1948 VENTOR.

2 lllllfllnli y 28, 5 A. BOCKMANN 2,646,915

FOLDING BOX Filed March 6, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I V EN TOR.

Patented July 28, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE FIOLDING BOX ArthurBockmann, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 6, 1948, Serial No. 13,387 8 Claims. (01. 229-34) Theinvention relates to receptacles, boxes or v containers composed from asingle sheet of material, such as paper, paper-board, fiber-board andthe like, cut, scored and folded from a flat sheet condition into thefinal product. The invention constitutes, in'certain sense, improvementsover folding boxes or receptacles of the type and construction of thatdisclosed in Tanner Patent No. 1,833,057, dated November 24, 1931.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a simple andeconomical construction for a receptacle or the like of the inwardlysloping side wall type, a type especially desirable for various purposessuch, for instance, as an ash-tray, pin or button tray, because it isnot easily upset or, if tipped, does not easily spill its contents.

Another principal object is to provide a construction and an arrangementof such character that the receptacle or the like may be packaged andshipped either in its flat or unfolded condition and folded or set upwhen desired for use, or in a pre-folded but flattened condition andeasily and quickly opened up or set up when wanted for use.

Another object is to provide a novel type of receptacle 'or the likewhich may be constructed from surface metallized paper, paperboard andother materials for use as an ashtray or for other purposes wherefireproofing or waterproofing may be necessary or desired.

Many other objects as well as the advantages and uses of the inventionwill be or should become apparent and understood after reading thefollowing description and claims and after viewing the drawings, inwhich:

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are, respectively, a perspective view of one form ofbox or receptacle constructed in accordance with the invention, asection taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and a developed or being cutand scored, but before folding;

Figs. l, 5 and 6 are, respectively, a perspective view of a second formof the invention as the same appears when set up foruse, a perspecoutwith a die from a sheet of the material chosen for the particulararticle to be made and, either simultaneously or afterward, scored topermit ease and accuracy of folding along predetermined lines. Dottedlines I, 8, 9 and I0 indicate score lines which distinguish and define abottom panel II, dotted lines I2 indicate score lines distinguishing anddefining outer side panels I3 and inner side panels I4, and dotted linesI5 indicate score lines distinguishing tabs It from side panels I? whichare segregated from the bottom panel I I by the score lines 8 and II].

t is essential, due to inherent features of the invention, that thereceptacle have an even number of sides for alternate sides are similarin certain respects with intermediate sides likewise similar to oneanother in certain respects. In other words, in the four sidedreceptacle shown the side panels ll are similar in form and have similartabs IE5 at their ends, while outer and inner side panels I3 and I4,respectively, at one side, are similar to the correspondingly oppositeside panels designated by the same reference numbers. If the receptaclehas six sides, then there will be a set of three sides having panels ofthe nature of panels I I and a set of three sides each with an outerpanel 83 and an inner panel I4, with alternation of panel types, as willbe understood. The arrangement can be carried out with any even numberof sides and with variations in size and shape of bottom and side planview of the box or receptacle blank after tive view of the receptacle ofFig. 4 when in a I folded and flattened condition for convenience ofpacking and shipping, and a developed or plan Figs. 7 and 8, and-Figs19and 10, respectively,

represent a developed or blank form and a perspective view of each oftwo modifiedreceptacles.

The blank shown in Fig. 3 is cut or stamped panels, so long as certainessential functional features are retained.

It will be noted that the score lines I5 are inclined outwardly towardone another (as respects each panel I?) at an acute angle to the scoreline Ill and that the end edges I8 of each outer panel I3 are likewiseinclined at the same angle to the respective score lines 7 and 9. Theseangles will define the final upward and inward inclination of the sidewalls with respect to the plane of the bottom panel I I. However, it isnot necessary, although in many cases it is desirable, to have all ofthe side walls I1 disposed at the same angle to the plane of bottompanel I I or at the same angle at which the walls I3-I4 or some of themare disposed with respect to the bottom panel I I,for this angulardisposition of the side walls as between sets of side walls or within aset of side walls may be varied by changing the angles of score lines I5, the end edges I8 and the angular dispositions of the edges I9 and 2Bof tabs It to the score lines I5, all of these angles bearing arelationship to one another, as will be appreciated;

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, the panels I3, [4 and l!are of the same width (measured perpendicular to the score lines I, i2and 8, respectively) so that the resultant receptacle will have walls ofequal height or depth. The panels 14 are of a length no greater than theleast length of panels l3, that is, no longer than a score line 12,which makes for economy and convenience in folding and setting up the:receptacle in final form. The setting up is performed by folding theside panels upwardly and inclining them inwardly over the bottom panel II along score lines I, 8, 9 and [0, while folding the tabs l6 inwardlyof the receptacle so that they lie inwardly of the inner faces of panelsit or against the inner faces of panels 53. Next, the inner side panelsJ4 are folded inwardly and downwardly from score lines !2 and over theadjacent tabs [6 until the panels is lie against the panels l3 and thosetabs over which they were folded.

*Since the sides :are then Linclined inwardly of the receptacle "whichassumes a truncated pyram'id shape, the vertical distance from the top'edge of-a doublelthickness sidewall (from'a'score line I 2) to thesurface .01" EbOttOlll panel ,H, will be :less than the width dimension.of .the side -wall measured-on lthe incline, wherefore, the inturnedpanels M will be held in their folded :down positions and, .in turn, andtogether with the inwardlyinclined adjacent sidewalls i I, will securethe tabs ii; so that the tabs it cannot escape and the walls l'il cannotmove from their positions. If the receptacle is to be used as an:as'htray, it is desirable to use a fire resistant mater ial-on-aspreferred, to employ a material such as paper-board, one :side at leastof which has been metallized or metal foil covered. In such -'case thefolding is so done that the fire resistant :surface-ison the inside ofthe final product.

The form'of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and x6, difiers from thatjust described in one important respect, namely, the construction issuch that the completely folded and set up receptacle may be flatteneddown to .a compact are-formed condition for ease-and economy ofpackaging and 's'hipmentin quantity, and yetmay be=quicl1y and easilyopened out to its receptacle forrn whenever desired.

'Theblan'k is .cutand scored'asshown in Fig. 6 to provide a bottom panel.21, outlined by score lines 12, 23, 32A .and 25, and side formingpanels 26, 2?, and 28, the panels 2.5, 21 :atea'ch of one :pair :ofopposite or alternate sides being respectively-similaniand panels '28 ateach .of the other -opposite-or:alternate sides being similar to oneanother. *As in the previous form, the sides of the receptacle will beeven in number with an "equal number of each type of side panel,alternately arranged.

The outer side panels 26 are distinguished from the inner panels Zl bothby a score line 29 and slits or slots '31} which extend in from the endedges of the two adjoining panels at their junctures, in alignment withthe score lines 29, each for a distance or depth equal to approximatelyhalf :or slightly less than half of the width (narrow dimension) of *aside panel :28. Panels .28 :are provided with tabs 31 which inthisembodiment are made in :a somewhat different shape from the tabs ofthe previously described receptacle/but the primary characteristic ofwhich is the 'fact'that the marginal edge 32 of each has an overalllength somewhat great'er -rthain the length (or depth) of a slot 30.Inclined score 4 lines 33 distinguish the tabs 3! from the side panels28.

Otherwise than particularly pointed out above, the two forms of theinvention are similar in construction and in the method by which theyare folded from the blank form into receptacle form. The side panels26-27 and 28 are folded upwardly, and inclined inwardly over the bot tompanel 2'l,'a'long score lines 22, 23, 2-"4 and 25 while 'the tabs 3| arebent inwardly at score lines 33 to lie against the inner face of panels26 (at the ends of the latter) where, when the -inner side panels 21 arebent in and down about score lines 29, they will be disposed between theput'ewp'an'els 25 and the inner panels 2?. In this rposition the.marginal edges 32 of tabs 31 will underlie the slitsall which separatethe outer end portions of the upper edges of the outer and inner panels,26 and 27, respectively, and Will ex- :tend itoward'one another beyondthe inner ends of the respective slits beneath which they lie. This=efiectively locks the side walls in their ;proper positions withrespect to one another and to the bottom panel '21 after the-manner inwhich the 'firstdescribed receptacle is set up.

The slits or slots .3!) permit the set up re- :ceptacle to be foldeddown .to the positions of the parts as shown .in .Fig. 5. By pressingeither pair of opposite .sides of [the receptacle, .as set up," towardone another with a firm pressure, the receptacle will collapse tothe-state of Fig, S5, this operation causing the tree edges of thesingle side walls -28, at their corners, to enter the slits or v:s'lots3i; and to progress therea'long toward the inner ends of the slits.until the side walls are completely collapsed against the bottom"panel. In this -:condition the folded receptacles :are not-onlyeasilypackaged andshipped, but are readied for use ina twinkling.merelyby grasping the opposite sides (preferably the double walled sides) andpulling ithem upwardly and outwardly to their proper set up positions.

Utilizing the type and -features of construction above described, it ispossible and easy to effect many desirable variations, for instance,those of :Figs. H to it, inclusive. The box or receptacle :shown in,Figs. 17 and 8, is constructed with a rectangular bottom .panel fromwhich arise two inclined walls and two vertical walls, while attached toone of the vertical walls .is a display panel. The two vertical wallsare formed from single side panel 35 carrying tabs '35 and fromsingleside panel Si-carrying tabs '33, the display :pa-nel-.39 beingattached to and extending upward in the plane of wall ,panel -31. Thetwo inclined sides :are composed of two panels each, an outer zpanel Alland :an inner panel ti, which are so folded as to include and lock therespectively adjacent tabs 35 and '38 between them when the box is setup as in Fig. 8. This modification may also be provided with .siits orslots between *the outer and inner side panels All, 4|, after the:manner'of the form of Figs. 4, 5 and 6, to permit collapse of :thefolded receptacle, as will be apparent.

Thebes of Figs. 9 and 10 is-ccnstructed to provide a single verticalwall as to which a vertica'lly (disposed dis lay panel ill and threeinclinedwalls'of which wall it is composed of a single thickness orpanel and the two remaining walls are composed 'of outer and innerpanels lli :andet, respectively. The locking tabs '43 correspond to thelocking tabs of the other forms disclosed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art A that the invention issusceptible of many variational embodiments or modifications withoutdeparting from the invention spirit. Accordingly, I desire to be limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A receptacle of the character described formed from a single sheet ofmaterial cut,

scored and folded along predetermined lines to provide a container oftruncated pyramidal shape having a bottom panel and an even number ofupwardly and inwardly inclined sides with alternate sides of likeformation and all sides sloping upwardly and inwardly at an angle lessthan 90 from the bottom panel, each of one set of alternate sidescomprising an outer side panel and an inner side panel each ofsubstantially a single unit of height and distinguished from the bottompanel and from one another, respectively, by score lines substantiallyparallel to one another and to the plane of the bottom panel, the endedges of the outer side panel being tapered upwardly to the junctionwith the inner side panel at an angle to said score lines approxi--mately equal to the angle of inclination of the sides relative to thebottom panel, and the maximum overall length of the inner side panelbetween its opposite end edges being no greater than the correspondinglymeasured minimum overall length of the outer panel between its oppositeend edges, each of the other set of alternate sides comprising a paneldistinguished from the bottom panel by a score line substantiallyparallel to the plane of the bottom panel I and having a tab on each endthereof distinguished by a score line inclined upwardly and toward theopposite end of such panel at an angle approximately equal to the saidangle of inclination of the sides, said tabs being folded along the lastsaid score lines to lie against the I inner faces of the respectivelyadjacent outer side panels of the first said set of alternate sides andwhen so folded extending upwardly no higher than one of said units ofheight, the inner side panels of the first said set of sides beingfolded inwardly and downwardly over an adjacent tab of each of therespectively adjacent side panels of said other set of alternate sidepanels and to an inclined position substantially parallel to theadjacent outer panel.

2. A receptacle of the character described formed from a single sheet ofmaterial cut, scored and folded along predetermined lines to provide acontainer of truncated pyramidal shape having a bottom panel and an evennumber of upwardly andrinwardly inclined sides with alternate sides oflike formation and all sides sloping upwardly and inwardly at an angleless than 90 from the bottom panel, each of one set of alternate sidescomprising an outer side panel and an inner side panel each ofsubstantially a single unit of height and distinguished from the bottompanel and from one another, respectively, by score lines substantiallyparallel to one another and to the plane of the bottom panel, the endedges of the outer side panel being tapered upwardly to the juncturewith the inner side panel at an angle to said score lines approximatelyequal to the angle of inclination of the sides relative to the bottompanel, and

the maximum overall length of the inner side panel between its oppositeend edges being no greater than the correspondingly measured minimumoverall length of the outer panel between its oppositeen'd edges, eachof the other set of alternate sides comprising a panel distinguishedfrom the bottom panel by a score line substantially parallel to theplane of the bottom panel and having a tab on each end thereofdistinguished by a score line inclined upwardly and toward thecorresponding score line at the opposite end of such panel at an angleapproximately. equal to the said angle of inclination of theisides, saidtabs being folded along the last saidscore lines to lie against theinner faces of the respectively adjacent outer side panels of the firstsaid set of alternate sides and each tab having a side edge extendingadjacent and substantially parallel to the score line between theadjacent inner and outer panels of the first said set of alternatesides, the said inner side panels being folded inwardly and downwardlyover an adjacent tab of each of the respectively adjacent side panels ofsaid other set of alternate side panels.

. 3. A receptacle of the character described formed from a single sheetof material cut, scored and folded to provide a bottom wall and an evennumber of upwardly extending side walls, each of alternate side wallsconsisting of a single panel having a locking tab at each end thereofattached to such end along a score line extending upwardly relative toand at an acute angle to the line of juncture between such side wall andbottom wall and toward the opposite end 7 wall and the bottom wall beingsubstantially parallel to one another, each wall intermediate of saidalternate walls being inclined inwardly at an angle to make an angle ofless than with the bottom wall and composed of inner and outer connectedpanels of substantially equal height with the inner panel folded downand substantially against the outer panel inwardly of the receptacle andinto contact along its free edge with the bottom wall, an adjacent endtab of each of the adjacent alternate side walls being disposed and heldbetween said folded inner and outer panels of each of said intermediatewalls, the said parallel edges of each tab being substantially inengagement respectively and in the order named, with the inside of thefold juncture of the inner and outer panels of the adjacent intermediatewall and the opposed inside surface'of the bottom wall.

4. A receptacle of the character described formed from asingle sheet ofmaterial cut,

scored and folded along predetermined lines to provide a container oftruncated pyramidal shape having a bottom panel and an even number ofupwardly and inwardly inclined sides with alternate sides of likeformation and all sides sloping upwardly and inwardly at an angle lessthan 90 from the bottom panel, each of one set of alternate sidescomprising an outer side panel and an inner side panel each ofsubstantially a singleunit of height and distinguished from the bottompanel and from one another, respectively, by score lines substantiallyparallel to one another and to the plane of the bottom panel, the endedges of the outer side panel being tapered upwardly to the juncturewith the inner side panel at an angle "to said score lines approximatelyequal to the angle of inclination of the sides relative'to the bottompanel, and the accents 17 'i'naximuni :overall length if the inner sidepanel between its opposite end :edges being no greater than thecorrespondingly measured minimum :overall length of the outer panel'between its opposite end edges, :each :of the other set of alternatesides "comprising a panel having end portions that are "of saidsubstantially single of height and being distinguished from the bottompanel by a scoreline substantially paral- =lel to the plane of thebottom panel, there being a tab on eachiend portion of the last saidpanel, each tab being distinguished by a score line inclined upwardlyand toward the opposite end portion of such panel :at an angleapproximately equal to the angle of inclination of the sides, 1

said tabs being folded :along the last said score lines and lyingagainst the inner face of the respectively adjacent outer :side panel ofthe first said :set of alternate :sides, the inner side panels :beingfolded inwardly and downwardly over an adjacent tab of each of therespectively adjacent side panels of said other set of alternate sidepanels to positions parallel to the respectively adjacent outer panels,each tab having a side edge extending adjacent :and substantiallyparallel to the fold line :between the adjacent inner and outer sidepanels, the outer and inner panels of each side of said one set ofalternate sides being separated from one another :along a predeterminedlength inward .i rom each of the :opposite ends of their upper edges fora distance "less than the length 'of the adjacent :tab for reception ofthe upper edge and an adjacent marginal part of the adjacent end portionhi the adjacent side panel thereby 'to permit all of the side panels tobe folded downfinto a collapsed condition upon the bottom "panel.

5. A receptacle of the character described i-ormed iironi a single sheetof material cut, scored and iol'dedto provide1a"bo'ttom wall and:a'neven number-lei upwardly extending side walls, earth of alternateside walls having a locking tab at each end thereof attached to :such=end along :a score "line extending at .an acute angle to the lineaoijuncture'b'etween the side W2J11i3,l'ldb0tt01fi wall and toward theopposite :end of such side wall, all :other edges 0f each tab beingfree, =each wall intermediate :of said alternate walls bein inclinedinwardly and composed ,of inner and outer connected panels ofsubstantially equal height with the -firmer panel folded idownsubstantially :in Yface-to-face relation to the outer :panel inwardly nfthe "receptacle and into :con-

tact, along one edge, with the bottom wall, an adjacent end tab iofreach of the adjacent alter- .nate walls being disposed :anclzheldbetween said idlded inner and 'outer :panels of reach of :saidintermediate walls, each :tab having a side edge extending iadj acentand substantially parallel to the fold line between the adjacent innerand outer .side panels, there being a slit :extendling along the :foldline between said inner and outer panels :of each intermediate side wallfor a distance .less than the length :of cone of said edgescf-rsaidtabsfrom each :end-of the side wall whereby the sides of the receptacle maybe colflapsed inwardly to lie flat againstthe bottom wall. 6. Areceptacle :of the character described lformedtrom asinglesheet ofmaterial cut,-scored ,and folded to providea-bottom wall :and anevennumber nfwupwardly extending side walls, :ea-ch of alternate-side wallshaving a locking tab at each thereof attached to :such end along aiscore'slineiextending upwardIy-at acute angle to the line of junctionbetween the side Wall and bottom wall and toward the opposite .end ofsuch side wall, all other edges of each tab being free, each wallintermediate of said alternate walls being inclined inwardly andcomposed of inner and outer connected panels of substantially equalheight with the inner panel folded .down substantially against the outerpanel inwardly of the receptacle and into contact, along one edge, withthe bottom wall, the adjacent end tab of each of the adjacent alternateside walls being disposed and held between said folded inner and outerpanels of each of said intermediate walls and having a side edgedisposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the fold connectionbetween the inner and outer panels between which it is disposed, atleast one of said alternate side walls being disposed at an angle .tosaid bottom wall difieren't vfrom the angle of inclination of one or"said intermediate walls.

7. A receptacle of the character described formed from a single piece ofmaterial cut, scored and folded to provide a bottom wall and an evennumber of sides each sloping upwardly and "in- Wardly from the bottom intruncated pyramid shape, alternate sides being of like formation, eachof one set of alternate sides comprising a panel having .atab'pro'jecting from and terminating each end thereof, each of the otherset of alternate sides comprising an inner'panel and an outer panel ofsubstantially the same height connected together by a fold along amid-portion of the upper edge of each and folded into substan- "tiallyparallel relationship with one another to dispose the lower edgeof theinner paneladjacent to the bottom wall, and the juncture between theouter panel and the bottom wall th tab of the adjacent end of eachadjacent side panel being disposed between the inner and outer panels,each tab having a side edge portion extending adjacent to and at alltimes underlying said mid-portion fold,the said upper-edgesof said outerand inner panels being separated from one another outwardly from saidmid-portion to each of the opposite ends of such panels whereby thesides of the receptacle may be collapsed inwardly to lie fiat againstsaid bottom wall, the length of said edge portion of each tab beinggreater than the length of separation of said upper edges of said outerand inner panels measured "parallel to such tab edge portion.

8. A receptacle of the character described for-med from a single pieceof mater-ial-cut,-scored and folded to provide a bottom panel and-anevennumber of sides each sloping upwardly and inwardly frornthe bottom panelin truncated pyramid shape, alternate sides-being of likeformation, oneset of alternate sides consisting of a single panel and including a tabterminating each end thereof and :each of the other set of alternateside being composed of an outer panel and an inner panel ofsubstantially th samelheight connected together along an upper edgeportion of each andiolded substantially into :face to face relation toone another over asubstantial length of the side, reach connectedzouterandinner panel enclosing between them the tab of the adjacent end ofeach of the two adjacent sides of th jfirst said set of alternateasides, each tab having a side separated by .a slit of less length thansaid -tab 9 10 side edge whereby the sides of the receptacle may NumberName Date be collapsed inwardly to lie fiat against the bot- 1,978,626Gault Oct. 30, 1934 tom panel. 2,242,741 Betts et a1 May 20, 1941 ARTHURBOCKMANN. 2,318,198 Clarke May 4, 1943 References Cited in the file ofthis patent FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PA'IENTS Number 001mm Date21,779 Great Brltain 1895 Number Name Date 1,833,057 Tanner Nov. 24,1931 10

